Africa Wildlife Documentary – My Top Ten

30. September 2016

Watching an Africa Wildlife Documentary is the perfect way to numb the worst sickness I know: The Virus Africanus. Here are my top ten!

1. Vanishing Kings – Lions Of The Namib.

Having travelled the Namib extensively myself and actually being lucky to see some of these lions in real life makes this Africa wildlife documentary even more special. Stunning footage and a heartfelt story will bring tears to your eyes and awake the longing to go see these vanishing kings yourself.

2. Queen Of Trees

Now I have to out myself: I love trees. Yes, I am a real tree nerd and while I trained as a safari guide in Southern Africa, I grew very fond of these giants. My favorite tree happens to be the Sycamore Fig – which truly is the Queen of Trees, as this documentary will show you. By the way, there is a version with a female narrator – which is even better! But sadly, I could not find it…

3. Le Monde Selon Tippi

Maybe you have heard of Tippi Degre before? “The true Mogli”, the little girl who grew up living amongst the wildest of animals in Africa? The only problem I have with this Africa Wildlife Documentary is this: It’s all in French. But nonetheless: The footage is absolutely incredible and if you type in “Tippi Degre” on google you will find the most beautiful pictures as well!

4. Elephant Queen

“My name is Mensa – and this is my family. I’m the Matriarch – their leader. And we’ve been through hell to get here…” – Narrated from the point of view of the Mensa, the matriarch of a herd of elephants, this is a beautiful Africa Wildlife Documentary set in Chobe Nationalpark that will teach you a thing or two about elephants and their struggle to survive under the harshest of conditions.

5. Virunga

Virunga is the incredible true story of a group of brave people risking their lives to built a better future in a part of Africa the world has forgotten and a gripping expose of the realities of life in the Congo. This is definitely not a story for the faint-at-heart, but it is a story that has to be heard.

6. Okavango – Africa’s Wild Oasis

This is an Africa Wildlife Documentary set in my all-time favorite place in the whole wide world starring – amongst others – my all-time-favourite African predator – a pack of wild dogs. The Okavango Delta is a magnificent place and this film captures the spirit of the Delta really well.

7. David Attenboroughs “AFRICA” series

Sadly, I could not find a decent trailer on youtube that would do this amazing TV-show justice. But if you truly suffer from Virus Africanus – this belongs in your DVD-collection! The wildlife footage and landscape shots are absolutely outstanding – I have never seen anything like it.

8. The Last Lioness

This is the remarkable story of “Lady Liuwa” – a lioness that, after poaching and hunting got out of control at Liuwa Plains in Zambia, was the only lioness left on those plains amongst an incredible high number of hyaenas. Having been to Liuwa myself this year, I love watching this documentary over and over again. But even if you haven’t been: This Africa Wildlife Documentary will captivate you with beautiful storytelling and footage – and a main character that will touch your heart.

9. The Eye Of The Leopard

Legadema was 8 days old when she emerged into the light for the first time, the beginning of this story. The film covers every step of her life from that moment on, for the next three years. Filmed by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, this is a very intimate portrait of this enchanting female leopard.

10. Solo – The Wild Dog’s Tale

Loving wild dogs as much as I do, I’m particularly fond of this Africa Wildlife Documentary! Much like the story of the last lioness “Lady Liuwa” – this is the tale of the last female wild dog named Solo remaining in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango delta. Once there were plenty of wild dogs living here, but with such fierce competition from other predators their numbers decreased until only one was left all alone: Solo wandered the park hunting by herself, avoiding the fearsome predators which would kill her given half a chance. Wild dogs are team players. Solo started behaving in a very surprising way: She made friends with young spotted hyenas and several families of jackals.